Man - Back View (Plate 3)
Artist
Richard Lindner
(German-American, 1901-1978)
Date1971
MediumSerigraph
Dimensions39 1/4 x 27 inches
ClassificationsPrint
Object numberUAC4009
DescriptionRichard Lindner, a very successful illustrator in his early life and a very influential artist in his later life, paved the way for many creatives that came after him to explore elements of pop art such as flattening form, experimenting with depth, intentionally using bright colors, and bringing content to life in their work as a reflection of the events happening in pop culture..Born in Hamburg, Germany, Lindner spent his early years going to an Arts and Crafts school as he was raised by his mother, Mina Lindner, the owner of a custom fitting corset business. He was well-rounded in his talents, and for a long period in his childhood he studied music with the plans of becoming a concert pianist. Being immersed in these highly creative environments led him to work as an Art Director at publishing firms and an Illustrator for famous publications such as Vogue, Fortune, and Harper's Bazaar. However, with all of this said, Lindner's career was not perfectly linear; Being Jewish during the time of the second world war, Lindner had to flee Germany and leave his projects behind as he served for the French Army. Later on he eventually left Europe altogether to pursue a career making art in the United States.
Being an artist as well as a cultural icon, Lindner was friends with Albert Einstein, Marlene Dietrich, Saul Steinberg, and even graced the cover of the Beatle's album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. (If you look closely you will see that he's in the second row, between Laurel and Hardy). The content of his work spanned from political to erotic, but all of it was implemented with stark honesty. As an artist Lindner confronted his content without shame or skittishness.
Back view (Plate 3), is a disorienting image because of the content, the back view of a man standing stout with the word 'shoot' written at his waist with Lindner's pastel, poppy color choices of powder blue, hot pink, and lemon yellow. This piece is among a series of work Lindner made surrounding the word 'shoot', which is very different than the content of his other works. It is thought that some of these pieces were inspired by his background as a Jew serving in the Second World War. Lindner's serigraph, made in the '70s, isn't far from the reality that we're facing today. In the United States, we have the most guns per capita than any other country in the world. The word 'shoot' written on a man's back has a very poignant effect on a viewer on its own, but during the time that we're currently living in this image hits that cord a little harder. The delicate colors forming the image of a man in a pink suit jacket and yellow pants with a light blue background are non-threatening, which is what creates such a powerful juxtaposition with the bright red 'Shoot' written in all caps on the small of the figure's back. We don't see the man's face, name, or humanity within this image. All we see is an anonymous figure. This shows a strength of Lindner's beyond his famous use of line and color, which is his ability to communicate through his image, and to make choices so that his images speak loud and clear.
Text by Emily Lane Borden
